Chapter 114
Chapter 114
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 114
Chapter Title: Qualifications of Pure Blood
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The very first impression that came to mind upon setting foot in Bellar was one of understated splendor. The darkness settled softly. The faint mist mingling with the stately lighting created an inexplicably cozy feeling.
'Cozy?'
It wasn't an ordinary sensation, but was this somehow related to the changes in my body? While I pondered that for a moment, Simo approached my side.
"I know a decent inn. Good service, reasonable prices. How about we drop our luggage there and head to the address in the letter tomorrow?"
"Sounds good. Lead the way."
The spot where we'd docked the Black Feather Hawk was quite a ways from the city. That's why I'd only packed lightly. Given the distance, it made more sense to grab a room at a suitable inn rather than going back and forth. Besides, this city was no small fry.
'Just casually sightseeing would take two days.'
I nodded, and Simo took the lead. His current appearance was that of an elf male. This guy, who'd never once used illusory runes before, had gone out of his way to use them now.
I subtly asked why, but Simo seemed reluctant to mention it. With the person himself acting like that, what could I do? All I managed was a small sigh and a nod.
'It'd be fine to rely on me...'
He was my disciple, after all. If the student was facing difficulties, wasn't it the master's duty to step in and resolve them? At least, that's how I saw it.
We booked rooms at the inn Simo recommended and had a late dinner. Even in Levan Pole, where the gloomy weather kept the sun hidden all day, there was still a distinction between day and night. It was too late to pay a visit today.
I sat quietly in my room, contemplating my inner self.
'Time for the fifth one soon...'
Late morning. I left the inn with Simo. Durel and Olbern were still sleeping in, so I didn't wake them. Kids at that growing age need their rest. Letting them sleep was for their future.
I naturally handed the letter envelope to Simo. The address was written on it, of course, and I couldn't read it. He'd have to do it for me.
"Ah, Second Street North. Familiar spot."
"Been there before?"
"Yes."
"Met the Pure Blood living there?"
"Hmm... Never met them. Actually, without this letter, I wouldn't have even known they existed. It's not exactly a neighborhood for Pure Bloods... But Duke Nortis wouldn't lie, so we should check it out. Name's... Hekar? First time hearing it."
"I see...?"
"Yeah. Let's go. If you get hungry, just say so. There's killer grilled meat skewers nearby..."
I stared blankly at Simo chattering away as he walked. It felt like I was on a tour with a local guide. Was this guy always so talkative?
We arrived at the destination about an hour later. If I hadn't used Blink midway because it was taking too long, it would've been three hours.
"This is the place."
It was in front of a mansion that looked incredibly ancient.
"People actually live here...?"
I glanced around as I asked. No matter how I looked at it, there were no signs of human habitation. Rusted iron gates, a crumpled front door. Vines had grown wildly, blackened and clinging dead to the structure.
Inside the gates, the mansion's condition was even worse. Part of the building had collapsed entirely, and huge windows were smeared with pitch-black handprints.
"For now... this is the address on the letter."
"Hmm..."
I frowned at Simo's response. Mana naturally gathered around my eyes, increasing the total allocated to Arcana.
'Rune letters scattered under the ivy everywhere... even a golem?'
My starlight-engraved eyes pierced the vast mansion grounds. What I found wasn't just runes and a golem. Mana flows extended along the underground space beneath the mansion.
"Looks like this is it."
I nodded and pounded on the rusted doorbell beside the crumpled gates with my fist. After waiting a bit, an unfamiliar voice came from beyond it.
[What?]
"...Duke Nortis sent me."
[Nortis? Nortis... Ah, that crazy bitch...! H-Hold on!]
I turned to Simo in bewilderment. It was a terribly frivolous, undignified voice. Weren't Pure Bloods royalty? Just from the speech, it sounded like some street thug from the back alleys.
I looked down at the letter in my hand and said,
"Do all Pure Bloods talk like this?"
"Probably not..."
Was this really okay? Maybe Duke Nortis had introduced us to the wrong person. As I fiddled with the envelope in worry, the door to the half-ruined mansion slammed open with a bang, and an old man emerged from within.
His eyes were ruby red, his flowing white hair sparkling in the darkness. The black coat thrown on haphazardly contrasted with his pale skin, creating an eerie aura. Even with mismatched shoes, the old man exuded profound mystery.
Among all the Dracains I'd met so far, this old man before me seemed the noblest. His disheveled attire didn't diminish his stature. His very presence felt extraordinary.
No doubt about it. This was the Pure Blood Dracain Duke Nortis had mentioned. Hekar.
Hekar approached quickly and stopped before the crumpled gates. He extended his hand toward me.
"What're you waiting for? Hand over the letter."
"Ah, yes."
Hekar tore open the envelope right there without hesitation. He read the letter with a furrowed brow, occasionally letting out unpleasant chuckles.
"Never thought I'd live to see a letter like this. That crazy bitch begging this hard? What the hell did you guys do?"
I shrugged in response, and Hekar grimaced as he ripped the crumpled gate right off.
Clang-!
"Can't leave guests standing out here. Come on in."
After a brief hesitation, I followed Hekar inside with Simo.
He glanced back and spoke.
"Who's Lumi?"
"That's me."
"Right, Lumi. Need info on Pure Bloods? A scholar?"
"Something like... yeah, something like that?"
"Hmm... Anyway, show you that book then..."
Passing through the door of the half-collapsed mansion revealed a pitch-black interior. As expected, the mansion itself no longer functioned as a building. Instead, stairs led downward. I chewed my lip watching Hekar go ahead.
Looking at the old man's back, I couldn't hold back the question any longer. Finally, I spoke up.
"Um, Mr. Hekar...?"
"Yeah?"
"Why are your shoes so mismatched?"
Hekar looked down at his feet at my question. A black leather boot on the right, a reddish shoe on the left. He shook his leg and replied proudly.
"'Cause... it's cool."
So that's what cool looks like. I nodded with a dazed expression.
The place we arrived at following Hekar was a spacious room deep underground. It was a total pigsty. Clothes tossed haphazardly, half-eaten food on plates, old books rolling around the floor.
Hekar shoved aside the desk piled with junk and dragged over a nearby chair, placing it in front.
"Be right back. Sit and relax. Gotta fetch that book with the info you're after."
With that, Hekar left the room. He headed down the large corridor nearby, so there must be more rooms. Once he was completely gone, I asked Simo,
"He's not representative, right?"
"I haven't met many Pure Bloods, but I can confidently say yes. He's special."
Hekar, who said he'd be quick, didn't return even after an hour. There's a limit to patient waiting. Unable to endure it, I shot up from my seat.
Thud-!
"This..."
The pushed-back chair crashed into a musty pile of laundry.
"Master. Maybe wait a bit more..."
"It's already been an hour. Olbern and Durel are waiting. I left a note, but..."
How much could those kids be worrying about me? My hesitation was brief. I cautiously headed down the corridor where Hekar had vanished. Naturally, Simo followed.
"Can you pinpoint his location?"
He was asking if Arcana could track him. I frowned and shook my head.
"Can't see him."
At any rate, there was only one path, so following it would lead to Hekar eventually. Simo and I began walking the long corridor together.
How far had we gone when a door covered in intricate patterns blocked our way? Simo lightly turned the knob to open it, but it wouldn't budge.
"Locked?"
"Hold on..."
Simo frowned and shoved at the door with his body. But it didn't move an inch.
"Let me try."
"Yes..."
If activated Arcana couldn't see beyond the door, some special enchantment must be at work. Hekar was surely behind it.
The moment I reached out to examine the door, red letters rapidly spread across the firmly shut surface, and it swung open.
"As expected... Master."
I hadn't done a thing.